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Has anyone been lately? I am going for a work related trip at the end of April (just for a 3 nights) and we are looking for some good recs. We have 2 nights/2 days in Brussels and 1 day/evening in Bruges. Nothing fancy, just some good, solid, un-touristy cooking. Bars and other food-related establishments wanted also. Much appreciated!
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I will confess--I have always been infatuated with Audrey Hepburn. The pixie cut, the cigarette pants, those eyes! I grew up wanting to be her, and now, in my 50s, I still emulate her gamine fashion style. I first became smitten with her when I saw her Oscar-winning performance in the 1953 romantic comedy, "Roman Holiday." She was just 24 when she landed the role of Ann, a princess who sneaks away from her royal duties for a day of fun in Rome with Gregory Peck. She went on to receive five Oscar nominations throughout her career, but this was her only win. She won a Tony award that same year for Best Lead Actress in a Play for her performance in Ondine. She remains one of the few people who have won Academy, Tony, Emmy and Grammy Awards. Since I was a young girl, "Roman Holiday" has been one of my favorite films. It won three Academy Awards: best actress, costume design and screenwriting. I watched it again this week, and I still love it. It isn't the most complicated story. There aren't any special effects. But the chemistry between Peck and Hepburn is compelling, and the shots of Rome are delightful. The thing that makes this film a classic--the standard by which romantic comedies are judged, and often found lacking--is Audrey Hepburn. She isn't the most beautiful film actress of her era, nor is she the most talented. But she is graceful, charming and beguiling. She has that "it" factor that makes it impossible to take your eyes off of her when she is on the screen. She radiates loveliness, kindness and approachability. I have never been one to follow celebrities. When she died in 1993, I bought a copy of the commemorative People Magazine about her. I felt like the world lost a true icon, a woman with a spirit and style that inspires people to this day. I enjoyed her performances in "Sabrina," "Charade," and "Wait Until Dark." I am not a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" fan, although that role is one that established her as one of the world's top fashion icons. Born in Brussels, she lived in German-occupied territory during the second World War. She later became a ballet dancer, a model and an actress. Perhaps because of the adversity she faced as a child, Hepburn became an advocate for children in her later years, devoting much of her time to UNICEF. -
I read with interest Dave's thoughtful post here about whether Muslim's need to self-police. I wish I had something to contribute - my instinct says "yes," but I really don't have an answer. This incident is serious enough where I want to get a post out about it today, but I really don't have much more to say - in the words, of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" But I can merge the Rodney King incident and the Belgian terrorist attack - I think - by saying that regardless of what your stance is on Muslims: are they "all" bad? Are "some" bad apples bad? Are "none" of them bad and it has nothing whatsoever to do with the religion, I see a parallel between the way people should think of Muslims, and the way people should think of American Police: are they "all" bad? Are "some" bad apples bad? Are "none" of them bad and it has nothing whatsoever to do with the profession? It seems to me there should be a consistency of thought between the two. Clearly, there are those who have grown to distrust all Muslims, and clearly, there are those who have grown to distrust all American Police. I am neither - I care for my fellow person, regardless of their chosen religion, and most certainly because they chose the profession of protecting our well-being. Call me a naive optimist, but that's what I *want* to think. I've slept two hours this evening already, and just woke up, so I may not even be thinking clearly about this issue right now - it just seems serious enough where I should acknowledge it in this forum. It's something I was thinking about earlier this afternoon in the car, and it just seems like, while the circumstances are different, they both involve a small percentage of "bad apples," and that we should all love our brothers and sisters. I hope this makes sense; I'm not sure it will tomorrow morning because I'm pretty tired. Peace be to everyone.
